| Abstract: | The supporting columns and their foundation influence the cooling tower's seismic response decisively. At the same time, they represent the most vulnerable part of the structure. To determine the optimum seismic design, the influence of the geometry of the columns is investigated parametrically. The dominant parameter, the in-plane angle of inclination, should be selected to be as large as possible. For a specific geometric configuration, the response for increasing seismic excitation is studied. The constitutive laws of the concrete and of the reinforcement steel in the columns as well as slipping and lift-off of the foundations are incorporated into a non-linear analysis. The largest reduction in response results from the behaviour of the columns in tension. The tower can thus withstand much larger seismic excitations than those indicated in a linear analysis. Slipping and lift-off, which develop for extreme earthquakes only, play a less important role, even when occurring in the entire foundation. |
